Researchers: NY’s primaries are dollar derbies

Here’s a list of the top contributors to contestants in today’s Congressional primaries here in New York, courtesy of Maplight, which follows the impact of money on the U.S. Congress.

Tabulations are from the Federal Elections Commission and through the end of April except for the Rangel/Espaillat contest which runs through the end of June:

New York District 1
Two Republicans are competing in this Tuesday’s primary to win their party’s nomination to challenge Tim Bishop in the November general election. New York’s 1st congressional district, located on Long Island, is considered competitive this cycle since both parties have a nearly equal chance to occupy the seat.

Below is a Maplight analysis of campaign contributions to the two Republican primary candidates:

Top Contributors to Lee Zeldin
Total Contributed Through 4/30/14
Professional Group Plans $13,400
Gershow Recycling $10,000
Pep Real Estate $6,600
Marwood Group $6,000
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) $5,500
Overall total raised by Zeldin: $603,172

New York District 7
In New York’s 7th congressional district in Brooklyn, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) is facing two Democratic primary challengers-Jeff Kurzon and Eric Martin Dilan. Velazquez is the clear favorite to win her party’s nomination, but her challengers have raised enough money to be competitive, and it’s possible that Kurzon’s push to raise funds with Bitcoin donations could give him a boost.

Below is a Maplight analysis of campaign contributions to the three Democratic primary candidates:

Top Contributors to Nydia Velazquez (D)
Total Contributed
Adam’s European Contracting Inc. $10,000
OFF THE SIDELINES PAC – Kirsten Gillibrand Leadership PAC $10,000
Independent Community Bankers of America $8,500
Park Avenue Building and Roofing Supplies $7,500
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) $7,500
Overall total raised by Velazquez: $591,075

New York District 21
With the retirement of Rep. Bill Owens (D-N.Y.), the 21st congressional district in northern New York is now open and could easily be a pick-up for the Republicans. Cooks Political Report lists the district as a “Democratic toss-up.”

Below is a MapLight analysis of fundraising by the primary candidates that have reported contributions to the Federal Election Commission:

Methodology: MapLight analysis of campaign contributions to the principal campaign committees of federal candidates in New York from January 1, 2013 – April 30, 2014. Top contributor figures are based on itemized records, aggregated by employer for individual donors and by affiliate organization for political action committees. Total raised figures are based on candidates summaries compiled by the FEC. All numbers are based on latest data made available by the FEC as of June 10, 2014.

June 20, 2014-Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), the 22-term congressman who was found guilty of ethics violations in 2010, is facing one of the toughest primary challenges of his career. Rangel is facing four Democratic primary challengers this year, with his stiffest competition coming from New York state senator Adriano Espaillat. Espaillat has been critical of Rangel’s history of voting in favor of legislation supported by the financial industry, including Rangel’s 1999 vote to repeal Glass-Steagall.

Below is a MapLight analysis of funds raised by Democratic primary candidates in NY-13 who have reported contributions to the Federal Election Commission. Yolanda Garcia had not received contributions at the time of this analysis. To search other primary races on MapLight Voter’s Edge click here.

Methodology: MapLight analysis of campaign contributions to the principal campaign committees of federal candidates in New York from January 1, 2013 – April 30, 2014. Top contributor figures are based on itemized records, aggregated by employer for individual donors and by affiliate organization for political action committees. Total raised figures are based on candidates summaries compiled by the Federal Election Commission. All numbers are based on latest data made available by the Federal Election Commission as of June 10, 2014.

Rick Karlin

2 Responses

Since our political system is so tied to campaign contributions those who contribute healthy sums to campaigns have the loudest voice and the elected politician feels obligated to repay them via favorable legislation that benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the common working class man/woman.